WHAT A HEALTHY TWO- OR THREE-YEAR-OLD CHILD WAS FED IN 1839

Abstract

Compared with the varied diet of today's 2- or 3-year-old child, that advised by Dr. Caleb Ticknor in 1839, and given below, will strike us as being rather unappetizing. A healthy child, of 2 or 3 years old, commonly awakes, hungry and thirsty, at five or six o'clock in the morning; sometimes even earlier. Immediately after awaking, a little bread and sweet milk should be given to it (sic), or (when the child is too young to eat bread), a little bread pap. The latter should be warm; but in the former case, the bread may be eaten from the hand, and the milk allowed to he drunk cold, as it is as well, at this meal, to furnish no inducement for eating, beyond that of hunger. After eating, the child will generally sleep again for an hour or two; and about nine o'clock, it should get its second meal, of bread softened in hot water, which latter is to be drained off, and fresh milk, and a little sugar, added to the bread. Between one and two, the child may have dinner, consisting, at the younger ages, of beef, mutton, or chicken broth, (deprived of all fat), and bread. When a sufficient number of teeth are developed to admit of chewing being performed, a little animal food, as chicken, roast or boiled mutton, or beef, not too much dressed, should be allowed, with a potato or bread, and some fresh, well-dressed vegetable, as turnips or cauliflower. After dinner, some drink will be requisite; and a healthy child requires, or indeed wishes for, nothing but water.